Fumori Masaki had high expectations, but the antidote took longer to develop than anticipated. Compared to the other world, the medical capabilities of the Ninja World had both strengths and weaknesses. Due to chakra, medical ninjutsu could perform incredible feats, such as the chakra scalpel that bypassed the surface to affect internal muscles, the mystical palm that accelerated cellular recovery, or even the transference of vitality—things that belonged in the realm of science fiction.
However, medicine in the other world advanced through the study of changes and phenomena, exploring relationships in a systematic and rigorous way. This surpassed the theoretical understanding in the Ninja World, along with technological advancements that enabled ordinary people to perform feats only high-level medical ninjas could in the ninja world.
Fumori Masaki believed that if the Ninja World could develop similar medical sciences, they wouldn't need a genius like Tsunade to solve medical crises. Even lower-level medical ninjas would be capable. But this was only Masaki's wishful thinking; Konoha couldn't leap to that level just yet.
Because of the delay with the antidote, Masaki's suggestion for a surprise attack faced significant opposition. Although it seemed like Sunagakure might be scheming, the council wasn't quick to agree. They decided to deliberate further before taking action.
Still unsatisfied, Fumori Masaki sought out Tobirama to discuss the situation. Tobirama believed the possibility of an ambush was real, but he emphasized the need for careful consideration before committing to any action.
Caution was essential. As the supreme commander in war, every word and action could influence the outcome. While intuition was useful, it couldn't be the sole basis for a decision.
Fumori Masaki knew that, if necessary, he could push through with the decision despite opposition. At this time, the Hokage held more authority than during the Sengoku era and could act almost as a dictator in Konoha. Still, Masaki hoped for a quick resolution.
Meanwhile, Sunagakure was moving quietly. Masaki's and Tobirama's hunches were correct—Sunagakure was preparing for a major raid. The plan was set the moment they learned that Tobirama was leading the Konoha troops. Sunagakure had suffered heavy losses, and now it was time to make Konoha pay.
The Second Kazekage would lead the raid personally, alongside Chiyo, Ebizō, Monzaemon, and other elite ninjas. They intended for this to be a decisive battle. If they failed to achieve their ideal outcome, Sunagakure wouldn't win the war. Even if they managed to hold on temporarily, failure would only be a matter of time.
"Shōmei, I'm counting on you this time. No problems, right?" the Second Kazekage asked the young man next to him.
This young man, with a handsome yet emotionless face and sharp eyes, was the future Third Kazekage. For this raid, he had purposely stayed out of the battlefield to keep Konoha in the dark about his abilities. Fumori Masaki was the only one who knew of him, but even he couldn't openly reveal what he knew.
"No problem, sensei," the future Third Kazekage, Shōmei, nodded slightly.
"Good. If this plan succeeds, you will be the village's greatest hero," the Second Kazekage promised.
"Whether I'm a hero or not doesn't matter. I just want Konoha to suffer," Shōmei replied coolly.
As they spoke, other ninjas were conversing with those they knew, trying to ease the tension before the battle. Even experienced warriors felt nervous about the upcoming raid, and talking with familiar faces helped relieve some of that pressure. Some, like Chiyo, were more eager than anxious.
Chiyo had failed to capture the Konoha ninjas in her last mission. Although she had killed four, they were insignificant. She viewed that failure as a stain on her record, one she hoped to erase today. Fumori Masaki would pay with his life!
"Chiyo, don't lose your composure. A ninja who lets their emotions take control will inevitably make mistakes, and those mistakes could be fatal," warned Monzaemon, her teacher. "A true puppet master must be like their puppets—calm, steady, and unshakable. Only then will you make no errors in your technique."
As an experienced ninja and Chiyo's teacher, Monzaemon's advice couldn't be ignored. Chiyo took a deep breath, calming herself before replying, "I understand, Sensei."
Monzaemon nodded approvingly. "Be sure to protect yourself. I'm planning to pass my puppets down to you."
As the first puppet master to realize the Second Kazekage's vision, Monzaemon was a genius. Despite having no precedent, he created the Ten Puppet Collection of Chikamatsu, hailed as the White Secret Technique, the most powerful puppets in Sunagakure.
"Can I really handle them?" Chiyo felt a surge of excitement at the thought. Every puppet master dreamed of owning the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu.
"Of course. You have the talent. But I hope you can create even stronger puppets," Monzaemon said with a smile, stroking his beard.
"Your puppets are unmatched, Sensei. I doubt anyone could surpass them," Chiyo replied, shaking her head.
"Who knows what the future holds? Even if you don't, maybe your successors will. It would be a shame if puppet art ended with me," Monzaemon sighed.
At that moment, the Second Kazekage's voice rang out from the front, signaling the start of their raid. Conversations ceased as everyone steeled themselves for battle.
To avoid detection by the Hyūga Clan, the Second Kazekage had chosen a location just far enough from Konoha to escape their Byakugan's gaze. While at this distance most ninjutsu couldn't reach the village, Shōmei's Magnetic Release would change that.
"If only Bunpuku would help, Shōmei could be freed up for other tasks," the Second Kazekage thought grimly, his eyes darkening at the memory of the young monk.
The Land of Wind was the first among the five great nations to possess a tailed beast. Shukaku, the One-Tail, had been sealed in a magical artifact within a monastery. But the beast's chakra had eventually found its way into a newborn boy in the temple, effectively sealing itself within him.
That boy, Bunpuku, was despised for being a jinchūriki. Yet, instead of becoming bitter, he grew up as a self-disciplined monk. Despite pressure from Sunagakure, Bunpuku refused to use Shukaku's power for militarization. No matter how the Second Kazekage threatened or coaxed him, Bunpuku remained steadfast.
While the exact status of Konoha's Nine-Tails jinchūriki was unknown, the Second Kazekage assumed it was Uzumaki Mito, and she wouldn't be easily brought into battle. It would take time for Konoha to deploy her, giving Sunagakure the advantage. But Bunpuku's refusal to cooperate ruined that plan.
If you want to stay in the temple so badly, then you can rot there! the Second Kazekage thought coldly.
Without Bunpuku's cooperation, Shōmei would have to handle the attack. After days of preparation, Shōmei could now wield enough power to rival a tailed beast. This would be the first strike in their raid. Even Tobirama would be shocked by the ferocity of this assault, and that's when Sunagakure would seize the advantage!
In Konoha, the samurai and ninjas stationed in the city began hearing a faint noise carried by the wind. It sounded like the scraping of metal, setting them on edge. The Hyūga clansmen immediately activated their Byakugan to search the horizon, but when one of them saw what was coming, his face went pale with shock.
"What... what is that?" he shouted in disbelief.